Djokovic Blitzes Rosol; Tipsarevic Back To Winning Ways

Miami, USA

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic made an impressive start in his bid to three-peat at the Sony Open Tennis on Friday evening in Miami, dismantling Lukas Rosol 6-1, 6-0.

“It is a great start,” said Djokovic. “After Indian Wells, I tried to rest. There are different conditions here, but tonight was perfect for tennis. I enjoyed every moment of it and I love this court.”

Djokovic won 59 percent of his return points and capitalized on five of his seven break point chances to ease into the third round with a 53-minute victory. He was facing off against Rosol for the first time. The two took the court much later than expected, following a three-hour rain delay and a 27-minute blackout, but Djokovic said he was unaffected by the curveballs.

“I probably had a seven-hour delay in Indian Wells before the fourth round, so this was a mild delay," laughed Djokovic. "The hotel where we are staying is nearby, so it's convenient to rest and prepare.”

The Serb is seeking his fourth crown at Crandon Park, having lifted his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 trophy in 2007 and winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012 with triumphs over Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. He improved to an 18-1 season record, with his only blemish coming in a three-set semifinal loss to Juan Martin del Potro last weekend in Indian Wells.

Seventh seed Janko Tipsarevic snapped a five-match losing streak after cruising against qualifier Dudi Sela 6-2, 6-4. Tipsarevic saved five of the six break points he faced to advance past Sela in 74 minutes. The Serb began the season by triumphing in Chennai (d. Bautista Agut) and reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open (l. to Almagro).

Eleventh seed Gilles Simon defeated Lleyton Hewitt for the third straight time, winning their second-round encounter 6-3, 6-3. Simon broke the Australian five times to lock up the win in 76 minutes.

Germany’s Tommy Haastopped Igor Sijsling 6-0, 5-7, 6-3 in 89 minutes. The 15th seed won 75 percent of his service points, dropping serve just once. He is through to the third round at Crandon Park for the eighth time and will face 19th seed Alexandr Dolgopolov. The Ukranian beat 2008 champion Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-3.